Wellington City Council’s recent turmoil highlights a widespread misunderstanding of New Zealand’s local governance. Most Kiwis believe mayors wield significant power over councils. In reality, the mayoral title is largely ceremonial. Mayors hold no more practical power than other councillors. 

This disconnect between public perception and reality explains many frustrations with local government. The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW, population 18 million) once faced the same problem – and successfully resolved it. 

In the 1990s, NRW grappled with council-related challenges like those we see in New Zealand today. That was no coincidence: Both NRW and New Zealand inherited a system of local government from Britain, under which unelected council chief executives hold significant power, leaving elected representatives struggling to implement their mandates. 

Recognising these issues, the NRW state parliament voted for sweeping reforms. It transferred executive powers from chief executives to elected majors. 

The first directly elected mayors with executive powers took office in 1999, marking the beginning of a new era in local governance. 

To understand the impact of these changes, we interviewed Oliver Wittke, one of the first mayors elected under the new system, for our podcast. He later became Minister of Transport and Construction in NRW, and eventually Parliamentary Secretary in the Federal Economics Ministry under Angela Merkel. 

Wittke was elected Lord Mayor of Gelsenkirchen, a city with a population similar to Wellington’s, at the age of 33. He explained how the reforms aligned public expectations with mayoral responsibilities. 

Consolidating political and administrative power brought efficiency and accountability to local governance. It empowered mayors to implement their mandates effectively, whilst maintaining democratic checks and balances.  

Crucially, it clarified lines of responsibility, making it easier for citizens to understand who was accountable for council decisions. 

Now, nearly 30 years after these reforms, Wittke says, no one in NRW would consider reverting to the old system. What was once controversial is now widely accepted, having delivered the clarity and accountability that the previous structure lacked. 

With Wellington’s woes continuing to make headlines, New Zealand should consider NRW’s example. Aligning perceptions and streamlining governance can transform dysfunctional systems. 

The lesson for New Zealand is clear: bold reform, when carefully implemented, can revitalise local democracy and attract the calibre of leadership our communities deserve.  

Perhaps it is time we too ensured that those we elect to lead our cities and towns have the power to do so effectively. 

Listen to our podcast with Oliver Wittke here